Biggest/Costliest Mistakes?

[Daddy-o]

So, I've been in this hobby for about 18 months, but am still making some rookie mistakes like burning my corals when putting them in my tank.

My wife gave me this gift as a surprise after life's curveballs (kids, job relocation, etc) delayed my purchase of one about 10 yrs ago. She thought she understood the expense if a mixed reef tank, but has begun to realize that perhaps she low balled the startup and annual expense - all in good nature (I think).

Anyway, my latest mistake is about a $100 goof which in the grand scheme is not that much, but certainly a let down.

What are some of your mistakes that I can share with wife to help ease her pain and perhaps belief that I am not the worst reefer ever?!?

Thanks!!

 

[Breakthecycle2]

Well I just had about $900 mistake. I over salted and over used super buffer and I lost a wrasse, two fireshrimp, all snails and inverts and all coral.

 

[mfdrookie516]

I made a lot of mistakes... can't imagine how much they cost me. Biggest mistake was getting interested in the hobby.

 

[Sniperhank]

I nuked 500 dollars worth of designer corals by not turning my radions when I first added them to my tank, up from a 4 bulb 31 watt t5ho.